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I'd would like to understand how this kind of fill valve does work:

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(Source)

In this mechanism, the float (ballcock?) pushes on the indicated lever which in turn pushes the diaphragm to block the water flow.

enter image description here
(Source)

However I believe that contrary to traditional float mechanisms, water pressure then helps pushing on the diaphragm and maintain contact with its housing. This explains the relatively short lever.

The diaphragm itself has a small hole:

enter image description here
(Source)

What I'd like to understand is the course followed by water when the valve is open and closed, and how pressure is used to help maintaining the valve closed.

More: A view of the diaphragm (seal) in this video.

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There are two types of diaphragm valves that you seem to know about in your question. One type uses external pressure to hold the valve closed, but another type uses the power of water pressure to do most of the work. An example of this second type is the common irrigation valve:

Irrigation Valve Video

Click picture for video

I'm not going to quote the entire video, but basically, the very small solenoid controlled valve on the left controls the flow of water to the top portion of the main valve (the small, blue, down arrows). When the top section is pressurized, water pressure is actually holding the valve closed. When that top section is allowed to drain, the diaphragm springs up and the valve is open (the larger, upward blue arrows show pressure opening the valve).

Does your toilet valve work this way? I have no idea, but this is a design that allows a very small force to open a large high pressure valve.

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  • If I understand well, the smaller pressure times the larger area plus the spring force are able to balance the main pipe pressure when the drain is closed. Interesting, I'd not be surprised this principle is used in the valve of the question (+1). But the difference is there is no solenoid (toilet tank). – mins Jul 15 at 19:01
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    Right, the solenoid could be replaced by any small force. For irrigation the electro-magnet operation works well for automatic control, but it could be easily replaced by a small lever. – JPhi1618 Jul 15 at 19:05
  • You're right again. The diaphragm in my question has a small opening, so I think the principle in your answer is used. Possibly the float lever just closes a small drain preventing the water to escape from behind the diaphragm. The brand is SIAMP if that helps. Also I found this thread (last exchanges are more useful and state it's the principle used by Torbeck but improved). – mins Jul 15 at 21:53
  • And here a closer valve with the principle explained. – mins Jul 15 at 22:01

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